Let his body do the work as you sit back and revel in the deep, pulsating rhythms of a heavy-duty turbine.
I’m still trying to adjust to working from home. It’s been weeks since the quarantine started, but I just can’t wrap my head around this new reality. Nothing I do in this heaving heat could make me focus on analyzing page after page of company data.
I tug at my loose gartered shorts. The fabric has been uncomfortably clinging to my skin under the unrelenting humidity. I’ve run out of underwear, and I wasn’t about to make a return trip to the grocery two kilometers away, all for a forgotten bag of detergent. My husband volunteered to take my place.
I turn around on my belly and eye the clock— Nathan has been out for more than twenty minutes already. It’s rather quiet without his usual crazy antics. I’ve complained that his constant neediness has been keeping me from work, but now that I’m on my own, I find myself looking for another reason to keep my eyes open.
As if he heard my fingers tapping impatiently, he comes bursting through the door.
“Honey, I’m home!” He flashes his signature lopsided smile and waves a string of candy-colored plastic packaging. “We were running out of these as well, but good thing I remembered this time.”
I come in for a hug but he pushes me aside, his cloth mask dangling from one ear. I notice that he’s still breathing heavily from his unprecedented grocery run. He pulls off his shirt and wrings it out, sweat dripping unto the kitchen floor.
“Let me shower first.” He instinctively rubs the back of his neck and throws his shirt unto the table. “This isn’t the kind of dirty that you’d find the least bit sexy.”
He runs into the shower and chucks the rest of the clothes off by the door. Sometimes I ask myself if I married a child when he acts like this. The laundry area is literally by the door to the left!
I might as well start on the laundry while he’s cooling himself off. I know it’s impractical to fantasize about installing an air conditioning unit in the laundry area, but this summer is even more unforgiving than the ones before it. Midway into sorting the clothes, I can already feel my sweat slowly soaking up my thin shirt. It’s turned translucent, sticking to the dips and crevices of my chest. I decide to just throw it in with the rest of the whites.
I turn the dial to start a normal cycle of fifteen minutes. That should also be a good estimate for when Nathan finishes his shower. Plenty of time for me to sneak in some me time too.
I lean against the washing machine, my hips pressed against the buzzing curved edge. I slide my left hand down the loose garter of my red shorts, matching my strokes with the vibrations from the pulsating turbines. I imagine the cycles going round and round as I draw my own fingers around in circles between my thighs.
The low hum of the machine blends in with my soft moans. Hopefully, that’s enough to hide how restless I am getting. It feels too embarrassing to get caught having fun by myself like this.
I slowly draw lines with my finger along my insides. Just as I’m starting to feel moist, a cool touch runs across the length of my spine. I shoot straight up in shock, eyes wide open in alarm, and find Nathan looking at me with a crooked grin.
His hands, still cold from the blast of water in the shower, wrap around my tiny waist. His thumbs slide into the hems of my shorts. He tugs at them a bit, lowering them enough to expose my hand.
“Hands where I can see them. Explain yourself, miss,” he whispers cockily as he places his chin on my shoulder. He blows a warm breath right at the base of my neck when I take a second too long to reply.
“You were taking too long, you idiot,” I reply with a jagged sigh. I can feel the vibrations from his chuckle as he leans his body against mine. His cold skin feels like sweet relief as it melts into mine.
He pulls down my shorts a bit lower, so I instinctively press my thighs together. I still feel a bit antsy around him whenever he makes a sudden move.
“That’s a bit unfair. I’m completely uncovered, yet you don’t want me to pull that stop sign off of you,” he teases me as he tugs them a tad lower.
“I can do it myself,” I argue, trying to remove them on my own. He holds them up instead. My lips form a pout, and he bites down another smile.
I give in and relax my legs as he completely pulls my shorts down to my ankles. I kick them off towards the colored pile. I think. It’s hard to get my thoughts together when my head is spinning. He keeps a steady gaze on me as he lifts me unto the whirring box behind us.
Our eyes are now level with each other. Nathan slowly leans forward, not breaking eye contact, while I plant my palms behind my back for support. He goes in for a kiss as his fingers wander downwards. His left thumb strokes my clit in slow but firm movements. And that wicked mouth trails kisses from my lips to my chin, down to the middle of my clavicles.
His thumb slides down to my entrance slowly drawing circles. I let my head fall backward as I feel him guide the tip of his penis to where his thumb was. He slowly inches in his entire length, and I draw in a sharp breath. The vibrations of the washing machine massage him from my insides as he slowly rocks his hips.
I close my eyes to let all these sensations wash over me. My lower back starts to arch and my shoulders drop backward. I shift my hips to meet his and we move faster, lost in our own primal rhythm.
Goosebumps prickle my skin. My arms are starting to feel like they’re going to give out soon, so I gradually lower myself until I’m on my elbows. I raise the small of my back slightly so he could reach farther, deeper inside me. His breathing turns into a low growl. I try to sound sexy, but mine sounds more like a whimper.
His hands tighten their grip on my waist, as he slows down before picking up the pace again. My breathing hitches and I can feel myself on the edge—
The rush of electricity engulfs my system as my entire body tenses then lets everything go. I feel him pull away before allowing himself to collapse on top of me.
The timer dings a few breaths later. The motor finally slows down beneath me. Nathan props himself up on his elbows and fakes a scoff.
“Oh my god. We finished before the timer by a hair’s breadth.” He presses forward, his head leaning towards me until it was inches from mine. “You need to stop making me feel so good too quickly. But you did finish first this time.”
I couldn’t take his cackling, so I playfully push him off. “Shut up. I blame the washing machine.” I climb down and try not to slip with the sweat now covering every inch of my skin.
“Hey, I did most of the work! Why does this hunk of junk get all the credit?” Nathan playfully kicks the corner of the appliance.
I turn the dial to drain. He peers over my shoulder, his arms wrapping around my waist. All the coolness is gone from his skin now. “We still have two other loads. Can we go for a couple more rounds later?”
I tap my fingers against the metal casing of the washing machine, pretending to contemplate his proposal. “Maybe… If you finish up the laundry and fold it after.”
He gives me a squeeze from behind. “‘Maybe’ is still better than a flat out no. You got yourself a deal, Honey.”
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BODY IMAGE
The understated beauty of having a positive body image Set your sights on a more beautiful and empowered you. Whenever you look in a mirror, are there things you want to change about what you see? You might be insecure about your weight, the excess fat on your stomach, your thick thighs, or some other part of your body. If you feel like this about yourself, you’re not alone. Body image issues are now more common especially among younger women, who are most swayed by popular media. According to psychologist Heather R. Gallivan, about 4 out of 5 women admit that they don’t like how they look. But just because it’s how things are doesn’t mean it’s how things should be. Do we really have to change what we look like to be happier and more confident? Or is there something else entirely that needs to change? Reflecting on body image What do we really see when we look at our reflection in the mirror? Body image doesn’t have much to do with our actual weight, height, or shape. Instead, it’s about how we think and feel about our appearance. And this picture we create in our heads? It’s subjective— strongly influenced by what we hear from our family, friends, and society. While anyone can suffer from a negative body image, this problem is actually more widespread among women. However, lesbian women are less likely to be swayed by such feelings than heterosexual and bisexual women. But the truth is, beauty standards the world teaches us aren’t even as objective or consistent as you think. It would only take three minutes for you to watch “Women's Ideal Body Types Throughout History” and realize that throughout three millennia, humankind has placed a diverse set of figures on a pedestal in various cultures. And why look further when we can see this in our own country’s culture? A Cut episode of the Philippines’ “100 years of beauty in 1 Minute” features how our standards have been influenced by Spanish, American, Japanese, and Korean influences mixing with our own through the decades. Women’s bodies come in all shapes and sizes. To find beauty in diversity, we must learn to admire each and every physique, including our own. As it turns out, the “ideal” female body is a myth. So instead of running after beauty trends that change year after year, why can’t we stop and accept the way we are now? Smoke and mirrors While the image of perfection has always changed as time passes by, the societal pressure on women to look picture perfect has remained constant. In this day and age, you’re probably used to seeing this era’s “It Girl” through both traditional and digital media. We’re constantly bombarded by photos of female celebrities maintaining a youthful face and supple skin way past their prime. Or updates of female influencers promoting the latest diet fad or exercise routine. The messages you’ve been getting are more confusing than ever: be skinny but healthy, and have large breasts and backside with a toned stomach. It’s hardly fair for most women. Truth be told, the weight criterion alone has become so hard to attain that it could only be achieved by less than 5% of the female population. The media rarely shows us the plastic surgery or photo manipulation required to meet these crazy standards. The scientific consensus points towards how these messages frequently bring about body image dissatisfaction. And yet, they are just coming from corporations who tell us we’re not enough because they want to sell us something— clothes, skincare, or other products that take advantage of our insecurities. As a woman, you get to control your own body and self-worth. Don’t let society dictate what you should look like or how you should act to be liked. This is how society can alter the perception of women, which is why you end up frowning at your reflection in despair. But you’ve been gazing at smoke and mirrors all along. Why is it so important to develop a positive body image in spite of what the media tells us? Body satisfaction makes you less vulnerable to mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. A positive body image brings about your emotional well-being, since self-esteem is the biggest predictor of body satisfaction. Body satisfaction would also mean a higher sexual function, which means better sex and more orgasms for you. A Canadian research found that women with a negative body image had difficulty achieving arousal and orgasm. It’s never too late to change the way you see yourself. No matter what others might think, all women are beautiful in every shape and form. We should be free to love our bodies the way they are and enjoy sexual pleasure the way we want. Thinking body positive The time has come for us to rethink the way we look at ourselves in the mirror. Women of all shapes and sizes are worthy of appreciation. So instead of wanting to change what you don’t like, you can start by embracing who you truly are as a person. Body positivity is all about understanding your own worth, caring for your body, and not punishing yourself for not looking a certain way. It’s also being more comfortable in your own skin, despite other people’s opinions. Women who don’t like their own naked body will find it difficult to get intimate with someone else. Be kinder to your reflection. Nurture your body knowing that you are deserving of love. When you appreciate even the changes in your appearance through the years, you will be able to deepen your relationship with your partner and, more importantly, yourself. So what are some small things you can do to appreciate your own silhouette? Get your body moving. Cherish the moments when you run, laugh, sing, dance, or dream. Your body may not look “perfect” doing these things, but you can still be grateful for how it helps you achieve your daily goals. Reframe the big picture. Mainstream media often has its own ideas of what it means to look beautiful. How about discussing this with your friends? You’d surely discover how much these images and messages are far off from reality. Make a list. Write down everything that you like about your body. Have your trusted friend or partner help out if you like, so you can go back to the list every time you need the motivation. Find your role models. Surround yourself with influencers who have a body shape or type similar to yours. One Instagram experiment demonstrates how women felt instantly better about themselves right after viewing body-positive posts. Sexy you around. Being comfortable in your own skin also involves wearing what makes you feel good about your body. Sexy lingerie isn’t off-limits at all—there’s always one that suits every body type! Unlearning your negative thoughts and feelings about your own body may be difficult, but it’s not impossible. After all, body positivity is about challenging society’s narrow assumptions to adopt a more inclusive idea of beauty— one that includes the woman you see in the mirror. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What is body image? Body image is how you feel about yourself when you look in the mirror. This can include what you think about your height, weight, and other aspects of your physical appearance. What people say about you or other societal expectations can also affect how comfortable you are in your own skin. Why is it important for women to have a positive body image? A positive body image promotes good physical and mental health among women. That’s because having good thoughts and feelings about yourself makes you less likely to develop anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and other forms of mental illness. It also enables you to develop a healthy lifestyle for a confidence and self-esteem boost. What are the causes of negative body image? Scientists cannot pinpoint a single cause, but there are several factors that can make you prone to developing a negative body image. These include being overweight or underweight, getting bullied for your appearance, and absorbing unhealthy images or messages about “ideal” body types from the media. Are women more likely to have a negative body image? Unfortunately, yes. Studies show that while all genders can suffer from body dissatisfaction, women tend to be least happy about their appearance, regardless of age or ethnicity. Experts say that this is mostly due to the unrealistic portrayals of women across all forms of media. How can I have sex with my partner when I'm not confident with my body? Sex is more than just a physical activity. The emotional connection you share should make you attractive and desirable no matter how you look, so don’t sweat it! More than anything else, sex is only one way for you to show your love and appreciation for each other. What can I do to improve my body image? There are many things you can do to improve your body image. However, it all boils down to accepting your own body and listening to voices of encouragement. These won’t instantly get rid of your negative thoughts, but they’d help you develop healthier thought patterns towards a positive body image. What if my partner doesn't like the way I look? You have to voice out your concerns when your partner makes you feel bad about your body. Talk to them about how you’re currently working on accepting yourself and that they should be willing to help you in this process. If nothing changes, then it’s probably time to reconsider your relationship.
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